Please watch the following film. With a concise message and graphics that help the viewer to better the ramifications that global warming may bring to our island in the universe.

Americans experienced record high gasoline prices this summer. These prices sparked a discussion of whether the United States should further open our offshore habitats for oil-drilling. The oil companies told us that offshore drilling will reduce the price at the pump; in juxtaposition was the fact that any newly opened and developed offshore projects would take years to hit the market, thus negating any immediate economic benefit.

This discussion became bitter, citizens for drilling began planting yard signs demanding that we start the operation immediately. Those in opposition hoped that our congressional representatives wouldn't buckle under the pressure and make a tragic mistake jeopardizing our future for some short-term benefit.

The high gasoline prices persisted, but we the consumers responded. We began to drive less, we rode the bus more often, and overall our actions diminished our miles traveled in record numbers. In response to this reduction in crude oil demand, gas prices have fallen. As of Saturday, November 1st, California is the only state registering $3.00 plus gasoline prices.

It isn't often that "we the" people make a difference, and sometimes, when we do make a difference, it transpires in such small and subtle increments that "we the" people are less aware of it. This time it is different. The evidence that our collective action made a difference is staring us in the face.

So let's review this so it really sinks in: by driving less, we reduced fuel costs, and, our collective action had a direct impact on our environment, the economic in this instance.

Then the task at hand seems simple, drive less and keep fuel prices low. However, every year we add more drivers to the roadways. For miles driven to remain flat, then each and every motorist will have to reduce the miles they drive. A highly unlikely scenario and a ridiculous approach to policy.

Rather than set quotas and create a bureaucracy to administer this system, lets start with a new approach. Let's redefine how we live, work and play in a way that reduces the need to get in the car.

We must embolden ourselves to think big and act now. Shifting the gears our economy away from the car will not be easy and it won't happen overnight. But any inaction now will only reduce our ability to make this transition in the future; when high gas prices inevitably return.

For the first time in many months the cost of a gallon of gasoline is dropping. The reduction at the pump is nominal, but what seems significant is that the stock market is reflecting this decline and hinting towards a leveling off.

With this first bit of respite from the rising tide of energy prices, we can reflect on how we responded to $4.00 plus gasoline.

As with all addictions, we had to go through the process of recovery. We acted with frustration, then denial, but eventually we came to grips with the fact that we either had to drive less or change how we spend our money. I am guessing that most of us chose to do a little of both, but our collective change is making waves.

Record numbers of Americans are taking the bus or train. In suburban America not serviced well by public transportation, we are adapting with clever car pooling programs.

An ad hoc system of ride sharing with complete strangers has sprung up in Northern Virginia and Northern California. In Northern California they call it casual car pool and in Northern Virginia they call it slugging. Whatever you call, this system serves both the driver and the rider: By gaining eligibility to drive in the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, the driver reduces travel time; By slugging, the rider saves money on gas and tolls. As a bonus, car pools with 3 or more people can avoid a $4 toll at the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has taken notice, dedicating time to research and document the impacts of this commuting strategy. The VDoT estimated that in 1999 there were 3,000 people either slugging or picking up a slug daily. There are some that suggest this number has now reached 6,500.

Around the country people are driving less. This consumer shift has sent the signal to the stock market. Admitingly, this signal has been helped by driving resptrictions imposed by Chinese in an attempt to reduce the smog. , but even with this Chinese boost, our actions are being perceived.

With more passengers riding public transit and paying less in tolls, our government will have to make modifications in how they prioritize their budgets. And, if a recent Weather Channel poll holds true, then most Americans want to continue down the path less driven, and this could make all the difference.

A group of House Democrats has created the Renewable Energy Jobs and Security Act. At the core of this legislation is a feed-in tariff for renewable energy. The feed-in tariff would guarantee small and medium sized generators of renewable energy a set price for the energy they produce.

The legislation isn’t a shot in the dark, it has been crafted after the highly successful German model. The same German model that is responsible for making the country one of the largest solar photovoltaic generators in the world. Now when you compare German solar radiation levels with a region in the States you will be surprised to find the region most similar is the Pacific Northwest (image from SEIA website).

So in a country with modest solar resources and a land mass roughly the size of Montana, the market is creating leaders in the design, manufacture and implementation of cutting edge renewable technology. This growth is providing real value across the country. A German report states that in 2006 alone, renewable energy payments were responsible for the creation of 134,000 jobs and a net positive economic impact of $23.5 million.

Because this legislation provides a critical catalyst for the design, manufacture and development of clean energy, every American should call up their federal representatives in the Senate and the House and request their support for the Renewable Energy Jobs and Security Act (Library of Congress).

Last week, New York’s Office of the Attorney General subpoenaed two Wind Energy Companies developing projects in the Empire State.

AG Andrew Cuomo was quoted as saying: “public integrity remains a top priority of my office and if dirty tricks are used to facilitate even clean-energy projects, my office will put a stop to it.?

As a participant in the wind energy industry, this move by the Attorney General comes as a relief. For renewable energy to succeed and make a difference in our struggle with global climate shift, we must have trust.

Attorney General Cuomo has taken the first step towards trust. He is establishing a clear framework for the review and oversight of wind energy projects. This move is making it clear to businesses how they should choose to conduct themselves.

For this trust to fully develop, AG Cuomo must set the precedence and then follow it. Let’s hope he does.